05-05-98 v MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA
ADELE GRAGE COMMUNITY CENTER
May 5, 1998
7:00 P.M.
PRESENT Don Wolfson
Robert Frohwein
Pat Pillmore
Mary Walker
Buzzy Grunthal
Dezmond Waters
AND : George Worley, II, CD Director
Alan Jensen, Esquire
Pat Harris
ABSENT : Sharette Simpkins
Chairman Don Wolfson called the meeting to order and welcomed the visitors.
I. Don Ford, Building Official for the City, introduced himself and explained to
the board the matters that transpired regarding the issuance of a building permit at
property located at 51 Robert Street.
After discussion, the board requested the building official to review future agendas
of their meetings to determine if he may be helpful to them by his attendance.
II. Review and recommendations regarding draft ordinance setting zoning
districts and district boundaries in the area annexed into Atlantic Beach last year.
Mr. Worley stated that the information the board had requested regarding
Jacksonville zoning and other applicable documents were supplied to them in their
information packet. He stated the purpose of their review is to make recommendations to
the City Commission as to the most appropriate zoning designations to place in the area.
Valerie Britt introduced herself and stated that her comments were only directed to
Johnston Island. She stated that Atlantic Beach commercial zoning would not match
Jacksonville's land use of water dependent water related. She stated that any
development must be consistent with the current comprehensive plan. She presented
pictures of the area which show the wetlands in the area and encouraged the board to
recommend a zoning other than commercial general.
After discussion, the board recognized the following individuals each of whom
recommended against commercial general zoning: Elise Brady, President of West
Beaches Community Association, Patricia Goelz, Mary Velotti, Hope Van Nortwick and
Valerie Pickett. The consensus of these individuals was concern for conservation and
wetland issues.
Tom Dumas, representing the owners of Johnston Island, introduced himself to the
board and explained that the Johnston Family has owned the land for over 50 years and
commercial general zoning was compatible to the existing uses. He presented maps
showing the island and surrounding areas revealing that surrounding properties were
zoned commercial and industrial. He stated there has been permitting activity on the
island for many years. He also presented Department of Transportation maps showing
access and traffic issues. He stated that the Intra Coastal Waterway was a federal
waterway and the equivalent of an interstate highway with substantial ship and barge
traffic. He stated that there is an established continuous 50-year commercial history on
the property and anything less that commercial general zoning would be an injustice to the
property owners.
Jim Perkins, a nephew in the Johnston family, introduced himself and expressed the
family's concern regarding any change in the current land use and zoning.
Dr. Chris Williams introduced himself to the board and explained that he is
president of First Coast Catholic Communication, a not for profit organization that owns
the radio station property. He requested that the current zoning of the property be
continued for the operation of the radio station and that any zoning other than commercial
general would be a hardship to the owners of the property in that it would decrease the
value of the property.
Paul Danese introduced himself to the board and stated that he is the local manager
of First Coast Catholic Communication and explained to the board that if the company
disposes of the property they would have to sell it to a charitable organization in order to
maintain their current status as a nonprofit organization. He explained that what he meant
by the previous statement was that the company was limited in the use of the funds if the
property is sold because they are a nonprofit organization.
Mr. Worley informed the board that there has not been a wetlands survey of the
property to the best of his information.
Carolyn Woods introduced herself and expressed her concern with access to and
from the property and the impact on the various communities.
Alan Jensen told the board that their job is to make a written recommendation to the
City Commission. He stated that the issue at this meeting was zoning and whatever is
recommended does not have to match the Jacksonville Comprehensive Plan.
After discussion, Mrs. Walker moved to recommend to the City Commission to
approve the proposed ordinance 90-98-165 as it is written and Mrs. Pillmore seconded the
motion. Mrs. Walker stated she felt that the owner's interests in the land would be
jeopardized by a change in the zoning.
After discussion , the motion failed by a vote of 5 - 1 with Mrs. Walker being the only
aye vote.
After further discussion, Mr. Waters moved to recommend to the City Commission
approval of the ordinance by amending the proposed ordinance as follows:
Section 1. The area of annexation shall be incorporated into the official Zoning Map
of the City of Atlantic Beach with the designation as OR, Open Rural for all areas.
Section 2. Attachment "A" shall be incorporated into the official Zoning Map of the
City of Atlantic Beach with the OR designation from Section 1 and subsequent
amendments thereto.
Sections 3 and 4 to remain the same as in proposed ordinance. Mr. Frohwein
seconded the motion and the motion passed with five aye votes and one nay vote by Mrs.
Walker.
There being no further business to come before the board on motion made the
meeting was adjourned.
SIGNED ,00Q Vr\ ,J
ATTEST GLI �� C